13/07/2011 12:00 AM of players from the region visit for treatment (Doha, Qatar: Thursday 13 July 2011): A steady stream of footballers from GCC athletes has kept the medical staff at Aspetar, Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital ,busy since the beginning of this year. So far this year, nearly 1,100 athletes from the GCC have visited Doha for treatment, rehabilitation or consultation for a variety of injuries, according to Aspetar’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Khalifa Alkuwari. "We are working hard to encourage GCC athletes to visit Aspetar,” said Dr. Alkuwari. “We provide the best quality sports medicine services and the highest level of care, as well as professional-level diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. That leads to confidence and trust between the players and our medical team. They know they are in good hands.” Bahrain has provided the highest number of visiting athletes with more than 400 coming. Oman has sent more than 370 of its athletes to Aspetar, while the remaining numbers consist mainly of patients from Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, both of whom had more than 100 patients treated here, and from Kuwait, who accounted for around 70. Those players currently “in good hands” at Aspetar include: Al Shabab’s Abdu Ateef and Majid al-Omari, Raed’s Obaid Al Shamrani, Bandar Dermatosis and Moroccan Jaouad Aqdar, Al Wehda’s Assaf Karni and Qadisiyah’s Zayed Anzi. According to midfielder Abdu Ateef, “The standard of treatment at Aspetar is as good as anything to be found in Europe.” He added that this year’s influx of Saudi players is due to a combination of the reputation of the hospital’s doctors and recommendations by previous players who have been treated at Aspetar. “I would advise anyone with sports injuries to come here,” said Ateef. “Aspetar is the leading institution of its kind in this part of the world and I have complete confidence and trust in its medical staff.” Dr. Alkuwari concluded, “Our objective is to become a leader in sports medicine by continually improving our performance and by consolidating our presence in the region. Achieving that success in the Gulf will lead to recognition throughout the Middle East and, eventually, globally.”